Feed ME 5K walk/run a big success for local food pantries

by Eric W. Austin

The China Team starts the race!

It was overcast and chilly, with the threat of rain in the air, but that didn’t stop 180 brave souls from joining the Feed ME 5K Walk/Run event this past Saturday morning.

The charity event took place in Augusta at Capitol Park, and was part of the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, which has raised more than $7.2 million since 1990. All funds raised are directly distributed to 33 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, Meals on Wheels and backpack programs in Kennebec and Somerset counties. The event was co-sponsored by eight different businesses from across Central Maine.

The Feed ME 5K race was the first event of the year in the MCU’s Campaign for Ending Hunger. Last year the campaign set a new record, raising nearly $675,000 for local charities.

The China Food Pantry and the Vassalboro Food Station Pantry both sent teams to participate. The teams were led by Ann Austin, of China, and Cindy Ferland, of Vassalboro, and included among them eight teenagers who gave up their Saturday in an effort to end hunger in Maine!

“It was amazing to see so many people turn out to support their local food pantries!” Ferland said, beaming and breathless after finishing the three-mile walk.

For more information or to donate, please contact the China Food Pantry at 968-2421, or the Vassalboro Food Station Pantry at 873-7375.

China Food Pantry Team: (left to right) Cat Durant, Abigail Maxwell, Caley Pillow, Madeline Durant, Eric Austin (and Jazmine & Tiny), Andrew Maxwell, James Maxwell, and Ann Austin.

Vassalboro Food Station Pantry team: (left to right) Mary White, Tina Siglinger & baby, Diane Bailey (& Midget), Cindy Ferland, Cindy Denico, Alexis Haskell, Caitlyn Denico, not pictured: LouAnn Davis, Cheryl & Dave Sherwood